Cairns Taipans NBL season announced

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CAIRNS

| Nick Dalton

THE CQUniversity Cairns Taipans have announced their 2023-24 NBL schedule, with the first home game to be held on Thursday, October 5.

The team begins the season on the road, facing the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday, September 30.

A Taipans spokesman said in what would be the earliest NBL calendar tip-off since 2009, the Cairns Convention Centre campaign would begin with a bang as former Taipans coach of the year Mike Kelly returns at the helm of the South East Melbourne Phoenix for the first match.

“Later that month, the reigning champion Sydney Kings will come to town for the first time since game two of the Taipans’ semi-finals for what is expected to be a fiery Saturday night affair on October 28,” he said.

“With the NBL regular season set to conclude mid-February, the Orange Army will get to enjoy mostly weekend games across the competition, with just three Thursday fixtures and all other home games being held on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

“The exception is a new addition to the Cairns holiday calendar, with the Taipans set to host a Boxing Day match on Tuesday, December 26 against the Perth Wildcats.

“This will be the only regular season home game against former Taipans superstar Keanu Pinder, as the back-to-back most improved player returns in red.

“The only team the Taipans will face four times will be their Queensland counterparts, the Brisbane Bullets, hosting them on December 1 and January 21, while it will take 10 rounds of the competition before the Taipans face the 36ers on December 9 in Adelaide.

“The Taipans will again host their annual New Year’s Eve game, and close out 2023 with a match against Melbourne United before the Cairns Regional Council fireworks, in what continues to be a seasonal staple for Far North Queenslanders.”

All games in the 2023-24 NBL season will be broadcast via Kayo and Foxtel with Sunday games to be simulcast on 10 Peach and 10 Play.

In the meantime the Taipans have signed rising New Zealand star Sam Mennenga, with the versatile 6’9” forward forgoing his senior year at college to play for two seasons under coach of the year Adam Forde. Mennenga was touted as one of New Zealand’s most promising basketball players during high school and selected the distinguished Davidson College over 30 other offers from US schools, on a full scholarship.

“This is a big get,” said Forde. “Sam maintains our direction of bringing in young, high character guys with high level talent,” he said.